cram cram friday

cerebrum

part of the brain in the upper part of the cranial cavity that provides higher mental functions

cerebral cortex

outer layer of cerebrum

frontal lobe

largest, foremost part of cerebral cortex (high-level functions)

parietal lobe

Upper, back part of the cortex: Processes taste, temperature, and touch

temporal lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex responsible for hearing and language (behind ears)

occipital lobe

A region of the cerebral cortex that processes visual information (back of skull)

brain stem

portion of the brain that includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata

cerebellum

part of brain that coordinates skeletal muscle movement

meninges

three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

blood-brain barrier

a highly selective semipermeable membrane barrier that separates the circulating blood from the brain and extracellular fluid in the central nervous system

endoneurium

layer of loose connective tissue that surrounds individual nerve fibers

perineurium

layer of connective tissue that encloses bundles of nerve fibers in nerves

epineurium

outermost layer of connective tissue surrounding a nerve that controls viscera

autonomic nervous system

part of nervous system that arises from thoracic/lumbar regions of spinal cord

sympathetic nervous system

part of ANS (fight/flight)

parasympathetic nervous system

part of ANS (rest and digest)

traumatic brain injury (TBI)

A traumatic insult to the brain capable of producing physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and vocational changes. (mechanical force)

concussion

produces loss of consciousness / altered mental status

meningitis

inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord (caused by bacterial/viral infection)

multiple sclerosis

disorder of the CNS (myelin coating inflamed due to immune response)

Alzheimer's Disease

a progressive and irreversible brain disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and, finally, physical functioning

Parkinson's Disease

a progressive disease that destroys brain cells and is identified by muscular tremors, slowing of movement, and partial facial paralysis

paralysis

total loss of muscle tone / reflex activity

cerebrospinal fluid

fluid in the ventricles of the brain, subarachnoid space of the meninges, and the central canal of the spinal cord

stroke

A sudden attack of weakness or paralysis that occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is interrupted